Wooden Nickel Pub — Restaurant in Valdosta

My husband and two of our friends came to the wooden nickel for the first time on Saturday. We were looking for a new place to eat and I have to save that we were all SEVERELY disappointed. First of all, we were sat in the smallest booth EVER. I’m 38 weeks pregnant, I would think that common sense would tell the host not to put a heavily pregnant woman in a small booth but whatever. We were moved and our server was seemed very nice when we actually saw her. She spoke to us a total of 3 times during our over an hour visit, mind you the restaurant was NOT busy at all. There were three other regular tables besides ours and a party of about 7 people. Our food took WAYYYYY longer then it should’ve to come out. I’d say it took about 15-20 minutes just to get some chips and queso as our appetizer and about 20-25 minutes to get out actual dinner. When the food did come out, my husband ordered the nachos and not only were they cold, but the cheese was all congealed together and the beef was burnt. He couldn’t even eat it so he went hungry. One of our friends ordered a salmon salad and the first time the food came out, the salmon was completely raw and pink on the inside so she sent it back and it took so long for her to get her food she just said “forget it” and went without eating as well. My burger was cold and just plain. When we finally decided to speak with a manager, we had to go to the bar and ask for our server to come speak to us, even though she had passed us multiples times to help other customers outside. When we spoke to the manager, my husband and I were still charged for his nachos even though he did not eat them and our friend was also charged for her salad although she didn’t eat a bite of her either. When we spoke to the manager and reiterated that they didn’t even touch their food, she said that she was under the impression that they had eaten over 50% of the meals that they didn’t have one bite of, as relayed by our awful server. The manger ended up taking some more off of the bills but we still had to pay for the food that they didn’t eat. So all in all, bad service and absolutely disgusting food. We will probably never be visiting this...

UPDATE: I am knocking off 2 stars. On my most recent visit the gyro was just piled in the basket. Not wrapped in foil the way they used to be. Almost no tzatziki sauce. Waiter was great, but I went for the food, which is not what it was when I wrote the below review a year ago.

I have pretty much always liked this place across the past two decades (and three locations). The food quality has been fairly consistent, though my opinion varies by item.

Gyros and Camel Riders are the best; an A+ here

Soups and salads and chili are quite good

I'm not too much on their pizzas

Our server was not outstanding, but ok - which is typical of my previous visits

Prices are in-line with the food quality & level of service provided

I don't partake of the adult beverages so no comment there.

It's been a while since I checked restroom cleanliness, so no comment there.

Some reviewers here are kvetching about the proper application of the (falsely claimed) "safe" germ protocols. The tables are wiped down and the floor is clean. Outdoor seating is available. That is adequate - it's a pub - if you are patho-phobic or immuniologically vulnerable, this place is...

I ordered the corn beef that is supposed to come on grilled rye but was served grilled sourdough. Killed it for me. Server was nice & switched for an order of fried mushrooms. I wouldn't complain if I was made aware of the rye bread situation but instead of giving me the option, I was served what they wanted me to have. And I was told they do in fact have rye bread, but they don't like to use it because "it is garbage and it falls apart everywhere"

My friend ordered the ham & cheese which is also stated to be served on rye bread but was made with the same sourdough bread.

The mixed basket advertises "2 chicken strips, 2 cheese stix, 2 poppers, fried green beans, fried mushrooms & onion rings. served with mush mix, taziki, and marinara sauce" yet there was no fried green beans and only 5 mushrooms and 3 onion rings.

The point I'm making is, when I go out to eat I want what I pay for....if something is 86ed or not available I want to be made aware so I can choose something else.

It's like advertising chocolate chip cookies and being served...